COMMERCE CITY CO (Rapids Academy) - After just a year at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park the Colorado Rapids Academy is flourishing and looks to grow even more for 2008.

More than 1000 participants between the ages of 3 and 18 participated in the Rapids Academy this summer in six different camps. In accordance to the core principles of the Academy every session was run by the coaching staff and professional players of the Colorado Rapids.

"The Colorado Rapids Academy is fast becoming the most comprehensive soccer development system in the Rocky Mountain Region said Rapids Director of Player Development John Murphy. "We are excited to be fostering the growth of soccer and developing the next generation of professional players."

Popular programs from last year’s Academy returned this year such as the Developmental Camps Training Centers Kickin’ Kids Camp Goalkeeper Camp and Summit Select Training Program.

A big highlight of summer 2007 was when high school teams from around the state descended upon Dick’s Sporting Goods Park for the Colorado Rapids High School Team Camp. Participating in the camp were coaches and players from 10 high school teams from around Colorado coaches and scouts from several universities and Rapids players and coaches.

Due to the successes that the Rapids Academy has seen in 2007 the Academy will introduce overnight camps as well as Mother’s and Father’s Day Camps in 2008. The Academy will also feature a fantasy camp with the Rapids for adults in the near future.

The Academy’s Developmental Camp is a week-long program where participants are grouped by age and ability with the emphasis on individual development. Professional instruction and facilities increase learning by giving each individual the very best examples of what it takes to be a quality soccer player dependable teammate and good citizen. 2008’s schedule will feature three day and three evening versions of the Developmental Camp.

One of the most fun camps to watch the Academy’s Kickin’ Kids Camp is an introductory program focusing on soccer and fun. The camp offers four hours of instruction where participants become familiar with the game of soccer and learn the basic skills needed at the beginner level. The emphasis is for all participants to enjoy the game and each other in a pressure free environment where they play soccer games and soccer-related activities for boys and girls ages 5-7 years old.

The Academy’s Goalkeeper Camp uses a training format created by goalkeeper specialist Murphy that has brought out the best in professional goalkeepers in MLS and internationally. This eight-hour course led by the Rapids goalkeepers is the perfect system for ‘keepers who want to train and improve their skills in preparation for the upcoming fall season.

The invitation-only Summit Select camp of the Academy is a supplemental program to identify and further develop talented and motivated youth players. The fall and spring programs are designed for instruction within small-sided and group games and exercises run by the Rapids Youth Technical Staff.

The Colorado Rapids Academy is "The Pathway to the Pros"! Don’t miss your chance to get the best and most exclusive soccer instruction in the state straight from the Rapids players and coaches. For more information on the camps of the Rapids Academy and to reserve your spot now call the Rapids Academy Hotline at (303) 727-3517 or click here!